HEARTZ ABLAZE GLORY
HEARTZ Ablaze, scratched from the last two Darwin meetings, finally got to the races yesterday and showed her rivals a clean pair of heels in winning the Hot100 Handicap at Fannie Bay.
Trained by David Bates and well handled by Paul Shiers, Heartz Ablaze led throughout the 1100m and proved too strong for Boogie Woogie Man, scoring by three lengths, with Gary Clarke stablemates Rex Celeritate and Woogie the next pair 1½ lengths and more away.
Bates said after the race that it had been a frustrating run with the daughter of Dane Shadow.
“We had to scratch her on November 18 when she was lame, and then the following week she got attacked by an ant swarm and we had to pull her out again,” he said.
“It must be karma – this was the right race for her all along but I had wanted to start her off sooner. Good things come to those who wait.”
Bates and Shiers were at it again later in the day when Reconnect took out the Puma Energy Handicap.
Tatamagouche turned the 1600m into a real staying contest and it was Reconnect who proved the superior stayer, downing Snowy Black in a driving finish.
Tatamagouche battled on bravely to take third, just ahead of the fast-finishing Able Ken.
Kerry Petrick was all smiles after Rye won at its first hitout in the bet365 Handicap, proving too strong for Tuscarora and Bartender Man.
Cocco Lucia, ridden by Barry Huppatz, provided her trainer Sean Rains with his first winner from his first ever starter when downing Exceed With Magic by 1¼ lengths in the Coates Hire Maiden Plate, with Micky running in third.
The Chris Pollard-trained Our Bay Roe, aided by a heady frontrunning ride from Michelle Hagley, held on gamely to score in the Southern Cross Television Handicap ahead of Puzzled Princess and Kilim.